Rivers
Amaechi Lauds Akulga Legislator Over Constituency Project
Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has lauded the member representing Akuku-Toru Constituency I in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Onari Brown for nominating a constituency project that has direct bearing on the people.
Governor Amaechi made the commendation yesterday at Abonnema during the commissioning of the new Iju jack memorial hall, a constituency project nominated in 2009 to the state government by Hon. Brown.
Represented by the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Tammy Danagogo, the Governor noted that since inception, the present government in the state has always encouraged members of the state legislature to nominate constituency projects that could affect the lives of their constituents positively.
He stated that the commissioned Iju Jack memorial Hall project has again challenged the state government to continue to support all constituency projects initiated by the lawmakers, adding that such support would promote accelerated development in the state.
The State Chief Executive noted that the lawmaker (Hon. Brown) has done well in representing the people of Akuku-Toru constituency I in the State House of Assembly and urged the people to continue to support him to do more.
“What we have seen today has challenged the government to continue to support laudable projects that would drive in dividends of democracy, especially in our rural areas.
“Like the biblical saying, many people are given talents but only few people account for the talent they received. Hon. Onari Brown has represented the people very well and deserved support and encouragement from all,” he stated.
He thanked the community for reciprocating the gesture by honouring the lawmaker and urged them to make proper use of the project, and also ensure that adequate maintenance culture is outlined to take care of the facilities.
In his opening speech, the chairman of the occasion, Chief Reginald Anabaraba noted that since the creation of the constituency, the new Iju memorial hall was the first celebrated constituency project ever embarked upon by any lawmaker in the area.
He declared that Hon. Brown has made the people of Iju Jack family as well as the entire constituency proud and assured him of the continue support of the people at all time.
Also speaking, the speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry, represented by the deputy speaker, Hon. Dunamene Deekor while congratulating the initiator of the project, noted “constituency projects initiated by members of the state legislature are always completed, not abandon”.
He used the opportunity to call on other lawmakers to emulate Hon. Brown and ensure that their various constituency projects are completed and hand over to the people, assuring that the House would continue to be alive to its responsibilities.
Responding, Hon. Brown thanked the state government for their support in ensuring that the project was completed as scheduled.
He further commended the people of the area for their support given the contractors during the construction of the project and assured his continuous support to them at all time.
The climax of the occasion was the presentation of Replica key of the memorial hall to Hon. Brown, confirming him as a member of Ijujack family.
Judges of the High Court, Rivers State state Port Harcourt have resumed their normal Court sitting on Wednesday 30th April 2025 after spending fifteen days this year’s Easter holidays.
It will be recalled that the State High Court Judges had proceeded on Easter vacation on Monday April 14 to 29th ,2025 on the approval of the state chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi.
A statement signed by the Chief Registrar, High Court Rivers State, Port Harcourt, David Ihua _maduenyi, esq said the judges are to resume court sitting on Wednesday 30th April, 2025 in line with the earlier directives from the state chief judge and urged the general public to take notice of the resumption date.
“This is to inform the general public that the judges of the High court of the Rivers state shall resume normal Court sitting after Easter vacation on Wednesday, 30th April, 2025.
“Recall that the chief judge of Rivers state, Hon justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi had earlier directed that judges of the high court of Rivers state, should proceed on Easter vacation from Monday, 18 April 2025 to Tuesday, 29th April, 2025.”
“The general public should take notice:the High court of Rivers state shall resume sitting on Wednesday, 30th April 2025.”
The Management of the Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, has approved annual free medical checks for all staff of the University. The move is to promote staff sound health and productivity at work place.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, disclosed this during the third edition of the “Walk for Life” health, wellness and fitness exercise, held last Saturday.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the new health policy will enable every staff member of the University to undergo free comprehensive medical check-up on their birthdays, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to promoting the health and wellbeing of staff members.
Professor Zeb-Obipi emphasized that regardless of whether a staff member’s birthday falls on a weekend, the initiative applies to all Rivers State University employees, expressing optimism that the Health Services Department has the required manpower and facilities to manage the novel health policy.
To achieve the policy, the VC said that the Establishment Division will liaise with the Health Services to compile the birthdays of all staff and send notification two or three days before the days their birthdays fall, reminding them to go for their free medical check-up.
Highlighting the importance of active leadership, the Vice-Chancellor stated that leadership requires direct engagement with the people, a principle he called “management by walking the floor,” rather than managing from behind closed doors. He emphasized that policies should be crafted from direct engagement with employees to understand their challenges.
He noted that this edition of the “Walk for Life” health fitness programme serves as a practical example of this management style, allowing him to interact with members of the university community and observe firsthand the need for regular health checks. He described the walk as a “worthy exercise,” pointing out that since most university work is sedentary, periodic physical activities such as the Walk for Life are crucial for the health and productivity of the staff.
The Vice-Chancellor also noted that this month’s “Walk for Life” coincides with the World Malaria Week, underlining the University’s commitment to supporting global health initiatives with the pledge that “Malaria must end with us.”.
Earlier, the Director of Health Services Department, Dr. Dagogo Cookey-Gam, charged the university community to visit the Medical Centre for testing before treatment of malaria. He said parents should watch out for children under 5 years because they can come under severe malaria attack, adding that pregnant women should also be mindful not to be exposed of having malaria due to their low immune system.
Dr. Cookey-Gam noted that malaria can be prevented by maintaining a clean environment and using mosquito nets.
On his part, the Director of the University Sports Unit, Prof. Joseph Vipene, thanked the Vice-Chancellor for sustaining the monthly “Walk for Life” initiative, assuring that the programme which has come to stay has placed the University in an enviable position for others to emulate.
The Police Command in Rivers State has confirmed the commencement of an investigation into the death of a police officer who allegedly took his own life in Port Harcourt.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this to journalists on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.
“We received a report about an officer who allegedly killed himself.
“However, we are currently investigating the report to ascertain what transpired”, she stated.
Iringe-Koko reported that the Commissioner of Police in the Sstate, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) for a thorough investigation.
According to viral reports Monday, Insp. Maxwell Zabu, formerly a security detail to Victor Ihunwo, a former Chairman of Port Harcourt City Council, allegedly shot himself at Ihunwo’s residence in Eagle Island, Port Harcourt.
A source familiar with the incident said the matter was reported to the Azikiwe Police Division in the area.
“Following the report, detectives from the division visited the scene as part of preliminary investigation procedures”, the source added.